A TRAVELLER invasion has left hundreds of football playing children disappointed after play was cancelled over safety concerns.

On Wednesday evening two caravans pitched up on the edge of King's Meadow south of the River Thames.

Reading Borough Council said a small group gained access to King's Meadow over the weekend and it has begun the legal process for eviction as soon as possible.

The council also said that the games may yet go ahead.

A statement read: "The Council is happy that the games can now go ahead under the  supervision of league representatives.

"We have today prepared the pitches at Kings Meadow and have been attempting to contact the league to confirm whether want to go ahead with the games as scheduled.”

Reading Chronicle:

The playing field, made up of six pitches, plays host to over 40 football teams in the Berkshire Youth Development League every Saturday morning during the football season.